Meet Shelley's Cat Care

This has been a hectic but fun week, Monday was a photoshoot for Shelley Nieman of Shelley's Cat Care.
Henry hanging out on his favorite perch, a kitten thinking about taking up fishing, and a lazy place to spend the day.
Each Feline visitor has their own Cat Condo ( left) and those who like company can share a large exercise pen. Shelley's web site will be finished in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know when it's up.
This is Shelley and Henry ( he really owns the place).

Reiner full Bio

I finally posted Reiner's adoption ad on BAEN, two people have inquired so far both wanted more info so I put a Bio together for him.

Reiner Bio September 2008

Thank you for inquiring about Reiner – I decided to make a general info sheet on his background.

I raised Reiner from a 6 month old baby, but actually I saw him from day one. I have a special bond with him that makes it difficult to let him go, but my finances have changed so I can not care for him any more.

Reiner was not started until he was four, then after a brief training period I tried to continue on my own but he was more horse then I was use to ( at 16.3 he was very different then my 15 hand gelding). Long story short, I was never able to stick with him, and gave up, partly because I did not have funds for full time training.

After a couple of years, a friend helped get him going; his working student was riding him in the video. The working student left and there was no one to ride Reiner when he got difficult so it was 1 ½ yr lay off again.

That basically bring us to this year in March 2008. I had an ad for him in BAEN, two people wanted him, a teenage girl and a school in Watsonville. I decided to go with the young girl as her personality blended with him and she had a sometimes difficult horse.

At the last minute, the girl backed out because she did not like the adoption terms so he went with the school.

When I let him go to the school, I was heartbroken for a very long time. I went down after two months, and found him very “in” to being part of the barn. I was dismayed as a lot of the day he was confined to a box stall, some turn out but not always daily. Also, I found out they only fed hay cubes, that was hard for me to accept but he looked great. However the second day of my visit, I walked up to his stall while he was eating his hay cubes from a bucket. Before he realized it was me, he raised his head with ears pinned threatening me. I was stunned, he never ever ever did that before, I asked the trainer about that behavior, she replied saying “oh, there’s a mare in the barn that has taught everyone to do that”. In retrospect, I know it must have been the traumatic change in his feeding and environment.

The trainer at the school was very patient and methodical, and I thought she would work well with him. They were very successful, it took awhile but she had 2 of her advanced students riding him. Reiner went to one show entering in 3 classes, two flat, and one small rails. He did pretty well, the trainer said he was a little wobbly going over the course, but did his job. The trainer said she thought he loved the kids, but would not be a general school horse. She told me he was doing a 2.6’ course, looking expensive and fancy.

Then in the beginning of July, I got an email saying he was not working out and come get him. The story I got was he had crossed the three strikes and out rule.

Bite the Trainer’s 5 year old daughter during an evacuation at the local fairgrounds

Kicked the trainer during a trailer loading drama – Tried loading him with a whip ( I told them never do that as he only fights), he refused to go in for an hour. Husband came along; he walked right in for him, but for whatever reason he backed out breaking his rope 2 xs. Then trainer bent over to pick up the whip and Reiner kicked her. ( They attributed that accident as more their fault then his)

Lastly, he bite the 17 year old girl who rode him on the side breaking skin.

There is no excuse for biting, but in all fairness to Reiner I think the change in environment was too stressful for him and he was not happy. He was always mouthy because I hand fed him, but he was not malicious. Prior to going to the school, he shared an acre pasture with my old gelding with three hay feedings a day. I think the confinement and lack of chewable hay during his down time made him crabby.

He is at Santa Rosa Equestrian Center doing some R & R. I am happy to say he has retuned to his sweetness, and is turned out with a group of horses in the morning for most of the day. Since coming home, he has been ridden by two different people, basic flat work and did well without the old resistance. For that I thank the trainer at the school. But I thought he moved funny on his right side, a problem area where he always seems to need frequent adjustments.

Then we tried to jump him but he was off in the warm up, I gave him rest for a week, then slow lunging. He seemed fine.

I had someone try riding him a week ago Monday but he was still lame. On Sept 16, Jackie Becker, did body work on him, she found tenderness in his right front ankle and recommend rest. She also found his hip was out, she said it could come from pulling back in the trailer, she said it happens easily to a lot of horses.

Last year, I had a full set of xray’s on his right hip, hock, ankle. The Vets said his bones were exceptional so it’s a muscular issue that will require body work periodically. He’s a big horse.

There is no adoption fee, if you want him vetted it will be at your expense. The adoption terms are simple: I must know where he is kept always, he can not be moved from the original location without notifying me. He can not be sold or given away. If you can not keep him or it does not work out, I must be contacted and have first rights to him back again. If I can not take him back, I have first right to find him another adoption. His expenses including vetting, shoes, standard medical care and stabling will be your responsibility.

There will be a written agreement for the adoption, and I have visitation rights.

Reiner is my equine child, I know even the best situations sometimes change, it did for me. I don’t want him to end up in a feed lot or abused. My goal is only for him to have a home where he can thrive and be loved. It’s not important to me that he is competed ( although he is a huge talent), I would not care if he was only someone’s backyard horse as long as he was happy.

If you are interested in meeting him, please email me.

Picture This Foal in Three Years

Picture This - By Ruth Lake

When I was asked to write an article about Photography, it was like someone wanting to know about Art…where to start.
The easiest way is to pick something recent that would be useful as there are a wealth of “how to” for basic photo shooting everywhere.
When my friend Cindy Smith’s beautiful filly “ The Lovely” hit the ground this spring, I decided to do a case study of the old timer’s” 3 weeks, 3months, 3 years” rule for taking pictures of babies to get the best view of the adult horse.
Anyone who has raised a foal knows the terrible gawky stages they go through when you, “hide them behind the barn”, you know what I mean: butt high, narrow as a board, out of proportion, ugh! But you know there is a champion underneath it all.
As a Professional Photographer, I often am asked to be the Photographer at Breed Inspections. This is a challenging time for photos. I move around and around searching for a good angle, trying not get trampled by nervous horses, or get in the Inspectors way. A word to breeders hoping for great photos at Inspections, please tell your handler that you are hoping for some good photos. It might help them be aware where they are standing is important to you as an owner. Sometimes posed shots outside the ring are the best insurance that you get the shot you want, as babies are too excited in the ring.(2nd top photo is such a moments)
The timetable – 3, 3, 3,
It you must take pictures of you foals for ads or sale listings, try to keep tabs on them at the 3 week, 3 month intervals, to see how balanced they are.
The Lovely was pretty balanced at Three weeks, even so, I tried to avoid angles that would make her look unbalanced taking shots at ¾ angles and shooting from a low position. When they are very young, get down at their level to get the best view. This holds true with anything young, people or animal.
I prefer to shoot young horses in freedom as unless a lot of time has been spent teaching them to stand properly, they will find better balance when loose.
Try to position yourself so you are always shooting them as they approach you going uphill, babies need all the uphill they can get, and be mindful of how the shadows are falling
Also, and this is a biggy, be watchful for what is in the background. There is usually a small patch of territory where sheds, fences, feed & water tubs are at a minimum, look for them. It is much easier to use a well composed photo then spent hours on the computer to Photoshop it out.
PS. I shoot a lot of photos as when I get back to my studio and see them big on the computer, I often find an ear or facial expression not quite right, and yes horses do close their eyes in photos.

At Three Months, The Lovely was again beautiful and in proportion. She was in the process of shedding out which was my only complaint as a photographer but her lines were balanced. She also galloped a lot which is hard when you are trying for the great conformation shot or the wonderful trot. The best shots you have to wait for, and never take the camera from your eye as those moments happen in a heartbeat. If you’re watching it, you’ve missed it.

I hope this has been helpful; it will be quite a while before I get those 3 year comparison photos, but with The Lovely I’m sure she will be “lovely”.
Please visit my web site www.lakewebdesign.com , to see my Holiday Card Sale.
Offer ends Nov. 09,2008

Call me with questions.
707-849-4732
Ruth Lake

Holiday Card Charity Donation Sale

It's time to order Holiday Cards, make this year Special by ordering a photoshoot with your favorite animal family member.
This is my first year of donating 50% of my session fee to your favorite charity, so it truly is a way to make this the season of giving.
Sessions can be indoor or outdoor, my studio lights can be set up in the comfort of your home. Offer good now to November 9th, please leave enough time to get your cards made.

Sessions book fast, so do not wait.Session can be booked from my web site Holiday Sale Page Also available: photoshoot certificates as holdiay gifts. Call 707-849-4732 today or email me at lakewebdesign@aol.com

Recent Photos of Reiner

As promised, here are some recent photos of Reiner.
If you want an update of this lovely horse, you can follow him by visiting my proofs page, Reiners Saga Continues
I raised Reiner from a weanling so finding him a lifetime home where he can thrive is my priority.
Call me at 707-849-4732 or Email Me for more info.

Reiner - Needs a lifetime home

My 11 year old Oldenburg Gelding Reiner is back in town, I am looking for a lifetime home for him. I'm starting my first blog post by inserting a video of Reiner from 2006. I will have more recent photos soon.